Variety of raspberry named &#39;Rafzaqu&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of raspberry plant, designated ‘RAFZAQU’, characterized by large, firm, easily detachable fruit with excellent flavor, medium spine density on very young shoots, free to touching lateral leaflets and a medium time of ripening on canes.

CLASSIFICATION

The variety is botanically known as Rubus idaeus.

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

The new raspberry plant has the varietal name of ‘RAFZAQU’.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of raspberry plant designated as ‘RAFZAQU’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross between the fall raspberry variety ‘AUTUMN BLISS’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,597) and the summer raspberry variety ‘RAFZETER’ (not patented in the United States; sold as HIMBO QUEEN).

The new variety is a fall variety, having strong growth, producing fewer runners (stolons) than ‘AUTUMN BLISS’, and having similar resistance to Phytophtora as ‘AUTUMN BLISS’. The fruit of the new variety is very large compared to most known commercial varieties, on the order of six to 8 grams, and is firm, easy to transport, brilliant red in color, without darkening after harvest, conical in shape, and easily detachable with excellent flavor. Fruit of the new variety can be harvested in mid-Switzerland from about August 20 (i.e., approximately 2 weeks after ‘AUTUMN BLISS’), for a duration of 6 to 7 weeks.

After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by cuttings and extensively tested in fruiting fields. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Comparison to Closest Commercial Cultivar

The new variety differs from the commercial cultivar ‘AUTUMN BLISS’ as follows: ‘AUTUMN BLISS’ ‘RAFZAQU’ Young shoot - density of Dense to very close Medium spines in central third Leaf - overlapping of Touching to overlapping Free to touching leaflets Time of ripening on canes Very early to early Medium

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs show a typical specimen of the new variety as nearly true as it is possible to make in color reproductions.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the leaves and fruit of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a close-up photograph of fruit of the new variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The phenotypical descriptions, measurements and color designations stated for the new variety ‘RAFZAQU’ may vary, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type, location and cultural conditions. ‘RAFZAQU’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Anthocyanin coloration of very Present young shoots Intensity of anthocyanin coloration Weak to medium of very young shoots Number of young shoots Medium Spines on young shoots Present Density of spines in central third of Medium young shoot Color of spines on young shoots Purple Bloom on full grown shoot Medium to strong Cane - length Long Leaf - relief between the veins Medium to strong Leaf - number of leaflets Sometimes three, sometimes five Leaf - overlapping of lateral leaflets Free to touching Leaf - color of upperside Medium to dark green Lateral leaflet - length of stalklet Very short (lower pair) Flower - size Large Flower - anthocyanin coloration of Present pedicel Flower - intensity of anthocyanin Medium to strong coloration of pedicel Fruit - color Medium red Fruit - size Medium to large Fruit - length:width ratio Longer than broad Fruit - firmness Medium Fruit - glossiness Medium to strong Fruit - adherence to plug Medium Season of fruiting Autumn Time of shoot emergence Early Time of ripening on canes Medium Length of harvest Medium to long 

1. A new and distinct variety of Rubus idaeus plant, identified as ‘RAFZAQU’, substantially as shown and described. 